Quantum Physics is considered conceptually difficult because it is not based off of any of our previous knowledge of the universe.

Asking us to explain the whole of quantum theory to you in simple terms is a lot to ask. It covers a vast ammount of material, enough that trying to cover it in a post on a message board would accomplish hardly anything.

I guess my point is that, if you looking for an explanation of quantum physics based off of previously held notions and experiences you have in the world, your not going to find it. Quantum Physics just cannot be explained in classical terms because it just isn't classical.

I suggest finding a book, many people here can give good reccomendations, and going from there. I read the small book, "Introducing Quantum Theory" while I was still in high school. It was non-mathmatical and gave decent description of the history and developement of the theory. Looking back on it now as someone who knows more physics, I think it was a decent place to start.

EDIT: Also, you may end up seeing stuff that says "Quantum Physics says this, says that,etc." Alot of crackpots try to use Quantum Physics to support everything from psychic readings to the belief that we can change things around us by thinking. This is all crap and has nothing to do with Quantum Physics. If you come across anything like this, be VERY skeptical. Also, do not use the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know?" as a source of information on quantum physics. It falls into the above category. In fact, it may be the epitome of the above category!

I don't think quantum mechanics is THAT difficult and abstract as people (specially crackpot "physicists" as G01 mentioned) claim.

just know some algebra and differential equation and accept the Schrodinger's equation and you are all set.
Quantum mechanics is very axiomatic (depends on how you learn it). If you know the mathematics, then things will become intuitive. For instance, the uncertainty principle is simply the Cauchy-Schwartz (a mathematical theorem) and nothing more that that. (it's not like a particle flies in something bizarre dimension then comes back from the future and destroy the world... no, it is a mathematical theorem, and nothing more than that)

take a look a griffith's book and the whole idea of quantum mechanics will become demysticified.

edit: very often, the internet just make things more confusing that it actually is. Grab a book (Griffith's introduction to quantum mechanics) and all your questions will become clear.

I don't think quantum mechanics is THAT difficult and abstract as people (specially crackpot "physicists" as G01 mentioned) claim.

just know some algebra and differential equation and accept the Schrodinger's equation and you are all set.
Quantum mechanics is very axiomatic (depends on how you learn it). If you know the mathematics, then things will become intuitive. For instance, the uncertainty principle is simply the Cauchy-Schwartz (a mathematical theorem) and nothing more that that. (it's not like a particle flies in something bizarre dimension then comes back from the future and destroy the world... no, it is a mathematical theorem, and nothing more than that)

take a look a griffith's book and the whole idea of quantum mechanics will become demysticified.

edit: very often, the internet just make things more confusing that it actually is. Grab a book (Griffith's introduction to quantum mechanics) and all your questions will become clear.

I agree. If you have knowledge of calculus and differential equations, I also Reccomend Griffiths "Intro to Quantum Mechanics" as a good book.

You can completely understand the theory, in the sense of being able to solve problems, analyze experiments and derive the correct predictions, and so on. Many people (tens or hundreds of thousands) understand the theory in this way.

On the other hand, quantum mechanics is so unintuitive that many people, even after learning the theory intimately, still have trouble accepting that the universe really behaves that way. Quantum mechanics is very difficult to appreciate from the perspective of human experience -- unlike the motion of billiard balls, which clearly makes "sense" to anyone who studies it.

Quantum mechanics is essentially the study of how very small things "move," if they can be said to move at all in the usual sense. Quantum mechanics does indeed have the power to describe how electrons behave inside atoms. The canoncial system studied in basic quantum mechanics classes is the hydrogen atom: a proton and an electron together in a bound system.

Quantum electrodynamics is a physical theory, based on quantum mechanics, which describes the interactions of light and matter.